NAPA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
1127 First Street, Ste. C Napa, CA 94559
Main: (707) 253-4211
Fax: (707) 253-4041
www.countyofnapa.org/da
ALLISON HALEY
District Attorney
Today, Paul Pelosi was arraigned in Napa County Superior Court by Judge Monique Langhorne on charges filed by the Napa County District Attorney’s Office based upon an automobile collision and driving under the influence arrest on May 28th, 2022. Those charges include Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Causing Injury and Driving With .08% Blood Alcohol Level or Higher Causing Injury. The matter was heard today in Department 3 at 8:30 am. The People were represented by Napa County Deputy District Attorney Aimee Mcleod.
Under California Penal Code section 977, a defendant can appear through their attorney on a DUI misdemeanor case and does not have to be present in the courtroom unless ordered by a judicial officer. Mr. Pelosi was not ordered by the court to personally appear at the arraignment and he chose to appear through his defense counsel.
Judge Langhorne provided a copy of the Complaint to Mr. Pelosi’s privately retained defense counsel, Amanda Bevins. On behalf of the defendant, Ms. Bevins acknowledged receipt and a formal reading of the charges was waived. She confirmed that Mr. Pelosi is charged with his true name. On behalf of the defendant, Ms. Bevins entered a “Not Guilty” plea to all counts in the Complaint. Through his counsel, the defendant waived his right to a jury trial within 45 days.
Judge Langhorne allowed Mr. Pelosi to remain at liberty on his Own Recognizance. Judge Langhorne ordered that the matter be continued until August 23, 2022 at 9:00 am in Department 3. At that time, the defendant may plead guilty or no contest, or the case can be set for jury trial. Under California law, Mr. Pelosi can appear through his attorney on a misdemeanor case and does not have to be present in the courtroom unless ordered by a judicial officer.
The punishment for driving under the influence causing injury as a misdemeanor is set by California law. It includes up to five years of probation, a minimum of five days in jail, installation of an ignition interlock device, fines and fees, completion of a court ordered drinking driver class, and other terms as appropriate.
The media and the public have a right to know what occurs in a criminal case. As such, they have full and free access to our courts. The courtroom was open to the public. Consistent with the normal calendar, the arraignment was also broadcast via Zoom. Questions of access to the Napa Superior Court are answered on the Napa Courts website. Any questions regarding this case may be directed to Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero.